Musical Box

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219 Ave B
New York, NY 10009

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(212) 254-1731
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Bars, Pubs & Clubs

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Musical Box - New York, NY
Reviews
( 4 )
( 2 )
( 1 )
( 1 )
( 1 )

Best

It's essentially impossible to find this place or know it's a bar if you do not know about it beforehand. There's no indication from the outside that this place is what it is unle...

Worst

where annoyingly overdressed uptown girls go to slum in the east village... contributing to the death of a formerly good neighborhood. Pros: location Cons: the people

Great hidden bar 10/9/2009

It's essentially impossible to find this place or know it's a bar if you do not know about it beforehand. There's no indication from the outside that this place is what it is unless you happen to pass by it while the door is open when someone is entering/exiting. The place is great, with lots of comfy couches in the back, a pool table, never overly crowded, etc. Great place to go with friends or a date. Truly a great bar. more
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Gotta Love the Box 3/4/2008

I've been to the Box several times and I always enjoyed myself. I like it because it's got a good mix of everything. Not too big, yet not too small. It's always full of people yet never overcrowded. The decor is East Village yet with a twist of a lounge. They have comfortable couches and places to chill. Nice and dark. I've never thrown a party or anything here so some of the reviews I cannot comment on. This place can turn into your regular hangout. more
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Weeknights A+ 11/25/2006

I moved to this neighborhood a couple years ago, I frequent alot of different bars in the neighborhood and always end up at the Musical Box. The fact that there is no sign and it looks closed probably keeps away college kids and the types of people that pretend they are too cool to socialize with people that aren't ironically hip hipsters. The best way to describe "The Box" which is what us EV regulars call it, would be smooth and unpretentious. It's a clean, comfortable, fun place to chill with buddies while watching the game or playing pool, yet moody and ambient enough impress a date. I always feel welcome and I enjoy the self-deprecating bartenders, they laugh easy, and make a wicked libation. Pros: reasonable prices, good people more
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I Love This Bar 11/14/2006

The Musical Box is one of my favorite spots in New York City. I like that it is relaxed and unpretentious. I love the decor, the pool table, the patio, the couches...I read all the reviews in the past and was so surprised. If the things they said once were true, they certainly don't apply anymore... I've been coming here for at almost two years and have had nothing but a great time. The music is a good mix of rock, the service is great, drink prices are reasonable and the doorman is polite and does his job. (I've never met a "Bathroom Nxzi" here, although I think it would be pretty funny!) I don't think that the things people have written about this place are accurate . Come see for yourself, you'll have a great time! Pros: Decor, Music, Pool Table, Bartenders more
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Best in the EV 10/25/2006

I love this spot and have for years......It is a great clean lived in, comfortable music lounge. The crowd when I go is neighborhood EV. I find the staff really friendly. Their was a rude bartender (Brendan) a few years ago but he is long gone. I am still going there after all these years. A great chill place more
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bla 1/25/2005

Warning - this is a revenge posting. I have been going to the Musical Box for 7 years and have had enough. Final straw in a nut shell - threw my 30th birthday party there and the manager basically screwed me over. I agree with jackieruvulo it has changed for the worse over these 7 years. its no longer a unique or original EV hangout but a place for wannabes to slum too bad bc there's a pool table. embarassed i threw my party there. Pros: tunes, pool table Cons: management, lame crowd, trendy more
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musical box 6/5/2003

where annoyingly overdressed uptown girls go to slum in the east village... contributing to the death of a formerly good neighborhood. Pros: location Cons: the people more
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I love the bathroom nazi 5/9/2003

I love the bathroom nazi. With any good bar come drunks, and with any good drunks comes a total blindness to queues, order, decorum and pre-emtpive bladder emptying. Make an orderly line for the bathroom. If people try to step in front of you (girls always seem to think they can get away with this), the bathroom nazi will inform them of the line. If people spend too long in the bathroom, they'll be encouraged to make way for the next bladder. Common courtesy would eradicate the need for a bathroom nazi, but this is New York, folks. And the place is more than tolerant of aberrant behaviour. If someone got thrown out, there was almost certainly a good reason. If their friends come straight back in, it's almost certainly for no good reason. It's a bar, not a sandpit kids. more
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Beware of the bathroom Nazi 1/5/2003

I recently went here with a group of people for a birthday celebration. The service was great,couches were comfy, and the atmosphere homey. If you are female though watch out for the bathroom nazi, if you are in the bathroom longer than two minutes he starts banging on the door and yelling. Even if there is no line. This caused a bit of an uproar with a few of my friends. Like a said it's a fun place but watch out if you plan on using the bathroom. Pros: Decor, Service, crowd Cons: bathroom more
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Bartender Ruined a Good Night 12/6/2002

The bartender/manager had my friend thrown out of the bar last night for no apparent reason and refused to even give an explanation. When I had seen my friend out and returned to calmly tell the bartender that what he had done was not cool, he physically threatened me with his bottle opener. If you enjoy giving your money to these types of people, go to Musical Box. Cons: Awful Bartender more
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Menu for Musical Box


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Clearly money has been invested in this bar: The exposed brick walls are immaculate, the couches in the spacious back room have an air of the chaise-lounge about them, the pool table has an abundance of elbow room, and the subdued designer lighting probably comes from a swank Soho boutique. The back room also opens onto a sofa-furnished parking lot--hey, it's still the East Village--for those hot summer nights.

    The Draw
    The theme (there are framed black-and-white photos everywhere of rock greats famous and obscure) feels slightly spurious, but you'll impress the bartenders if you recognize the Nick Drake picture. If you're looking for the East Village of rock-and-roll legend, you'll hate this place, but if you want to get your lounge on, sip cosmos or play a quiet game of pool in a stylish but not oppressive atmosphere, you can't miss here.

  • 8/13/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: East Village, Alphabet City, Downtown
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